International lawyers representing the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) confirm they have new evidence from whistleblowers, Apple could be sourcing minerals from conflict areas in eastern Congo.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused the massive tech giant of using illegally exported minerals from the war-torn eastern part of the country.
The legal claims challenge Apple’s assertions that it carefully verifies the origination of all materials used within its devices.
Letter to CEO
Lawyers representing the DRC government have drafted a letter and sent it directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The letter contain a series of questions regarding the origin of Apple product minerals, how they were acquired, and what oversight there is to ensure no conflict minerals are being used.
The Amsterdam & Partners LLP law firm which is representing the DRC has been investigating allegations about business misconduct with respect to mineral acquisition in Africa.
The firm alleges that minerals mined in Congo by several companies and armed militia are being smuggled out through Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi.
In the letter, France- and US-based lawyers for the DRC say that Apple’s iPhones, Mac computers and other accessories are “tainted by the blood of the Congolese people”.
Apple’s Response
In response to the letter sent to the CEO, Apple has declined to comment and it sticking to its last disclosure on mineral use from Africa.
The most recent disclosures from Apple state that there is “no reasonable basis for concluding” that any of its tin, tungsten and tantalum smelters or refiners “directly or indirectly financed” armed groups in the DRC or adjoining countries.
The lawyers representing the DRC say they met with President Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa in September 2023.
3T Minerals
The lawyers representing the DRC have been retained by the Congolese government to investigate the illegal exportation of so-called “3T” materials from Congolese territory.
Tin, tungsten, and tantalum are called the 3T minerals and are critical in the manufacturing of smartphones and other tech gadgets like laptops, smart watches, and screens.
The sourcing of specialized minerals for Apple’s products has long been under scrutiny by African nations as well as federal regulators.
The widely popular technology company has increasingly put claims of environmental and social responsibility at the heart of its advertising campaigns.
Various armed groups control strategic supply chains into Rwanda and Uganda, analysts and Congolese officials say.
A mining area of Congo that borders with Uganda and Rwanda holds some of the world’s largest deposits of coltan, the ore from which tantalum is extracted.
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Rwandan Rebel Groups
This mineral-rich region is currently involved in some of the deadliest fighting between government forces, armed militia, and the M23 rebel group.
Global Intelligence sources for allied Western nations all confirm that the M23 is backed by neighbouring Rwanda.
Claims of involvement by government of Rwanda in supporting armed militia in the region largely are not acknowledged y its leaders.
Lawyers representing the DRC government released a report claiming that Rwanda have been using rebel groups to launder “vast quantities” of key minerals from the DRC’s territory.
They say the companies that supply several technology, telecoms, and defence companies knowingly purchase laundered minerals from Rwanda.
In the letter lawyers say Apple’s claims that it verifies the origins of these materials “do not appear to be based on concrete, verifiable evidence”, alleging the company relies on suppliers based in Rwanda.
Apple’s Operations
Over the past decade, Apple has been increasing its use of recycled materials in its products to reduce its consumption of conflict minerals from Africa.
Apple management have made public statements that the firm is working towards a long-term goal of creating a “closed loop” supply chain.
Apple stated in a report published in 2023 that 100% of identified smelters and refiners in the supply chain for all applicable Apple products manufactured in 2023 had participated in an independent third-party conflict minerals audit for tin, tantalum, tungsten (known as 3T minerals) and gold.
However In 2021, US official data showed that Rwanda was providing 15% of the global supply of tantalum.
Data Discrepancies
This information regarding tantalum production from Rwanda comes in contrast to the country’s formally production numbers which account for only modest amounts of tantalum from its own mines.
Moreover, the US was buying more tantalum from Rwanda, approximately 36% of its total imports, the highest among global producers compared to only 7% from the DRC.
The contention is that rebel groups located in the region have been stealing the vaualbe minerals from Congo and selling then through Rwanda.
The government of Rwanda is potentially complicit in the acquisition and sale of Congolese natural resources through the armed groups they are reported to support.
